The purpose of this study is to examine the general condition of international marriage women immigrants) in Jeollabuk-do Province area and the differences of their socio-demographic characteristics according to social support, cultural adaptation, and life satisfaction as well as to analyze the relationship between social support and cultural adaptation on one hand and life satisfaction on the other so that the results of the study could contribute to finding out a support system to help them to live a happy life in Korean society as its members.
An analysis of the research results is as follows:
First, an analysis of the differences in social support according to variables (level of education, age gap, and income) of the international marriage women immigrants shows that the overall average was moderate with 3.09. As for level of education of the international marriage women immigrants, there was no difference between groups, and level of education was higher as age gap with spouse and income were greater.
Second, an analysis of the differences in cultural adaptation according variables (level of education, age gap, and income) of the international marriage women immigrants shows that the overall average of integration was moderate with 2.99. As for level of education of the international marriage women immigrants, there was a significant difference between groups at the level of p〈.05, but there was no significant difference between groups in age gap and income. The overall average of assimilation was moderate with 2.76. As for level of education of the international marriage women immigrants, there was a significant difference between groups at the level of p〈.05, but there was no significant difference between groups in age gap. Level of education was higher as income was higher. The overall average of separation was below normal with 2.49, and there was no difference in level of education, age gap with spouse, and income of the international marriage women immigrants between groups. The overall average of marginalization was below normal with 2.65. As for differences in level of education and age gap with spouse of the international marriage women immigrants, there was no difference between groups, and the differences were greater as income was higher.
Third, an analysis of differences in life satisfaction according to variables (level of education, age gap, and income) of the international marriage women immigrants shows that the overall average was moderate with 3.40. As for level of education of the international marriage women immigrants, there was no difference between groups, and life satisfaction was higher as age gap with spouse and income were greater.
Fourth, an analysis of the relationship between social support and life satisfaction of the international marriage women immigrants shows that there was a positive (+) correlation between social support and life satisfaction with r=.332 (p〈.001); and emotional support was r=.311 (p〈.001), appraisal support was r=.313 (p〈.001), informational support was r=.290 (p〈.001), and material support was r=.219 (p〈.01).
Fifth, an analysis of the relationship between cultural adaptation and life satisfaction of the international marriage women immigrants shows that there was a positive correlation with r=.285 (p〈.001). Separation was r=-.137 (p〈.05), marginalization was r=-.381 (p〈.001), integration was r=.303 (p〈.001), and assimilation was r=.294 (p〈.001).
The conclusion of this study is as follows:
First, an educational policy is needed to improve the intellectual level of the spouses of the international marriage women immigrants. Second, the international marriage women immigrants and their spouses should be given opportunities to find jobs and various career training courses. Third, there should be institutionalization of educational programs for prospective couple of international marriage. Fourth, there should be programs of cultural understanding for all the local residents. Fifth, local communities should be formed to provide opportunities for interaction with the local residents.